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PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
6
pubmed:dateCreated
2003-3-13
pubmed:abstractText
An abnormal distribution of the gap junction occurs in chronic atrial fibrillation (AF). There are conflicting data regarding changes in connexins (Cxs) in experimental models of AF. We examined whether patients with chronic AF have alterations in atrial Cxs. We analyzed the expression of Cx40 and Cx43 in the right atrial myocardium from 10 patients with mitral valvular disease (MVD) who had AF (MVD/AF), 10 patients with MVD who were in normal sinus rhythm (MVD/NSR), and 10 control patients in NSR (tissue obtained during coronary artery bypass surgery). Hemodynamic and echocardiographic data were obtained before surgery, and an electrophysiologic examination was performed during the operation. An immunohistochemical study was performed on atrial tissue. The relative expression level of Cx40 protein was significantly lower in MVD/AF patients (6.5 +/- 4.6) than in either MVD/NSR patients (17.7 +/- 8.9, p <0.05) or controls (24.7 +/- 11.1, p <0.01). The relative expression level of Cx40 messenger ribonucleic acid was also significantly lower in MVD/AF patients (0.23 +/- 0.13) than in MVD/NSR patients (0.47 +/- 0.26, p <0.01) or controls (0.47 +/- 0.17, p <0.01). For Cx43 protein and messenger ribonucleic acid, there was no significant difference in relative expression levels among the 3 groups. Interestingly, the level of serine-phosphorylated Cx40 was approximately 52% greater in MVD/AF patients than in controls. In MVD/AF patients, the immunoreactive signal of Cx40 was significantly lower than in controls. There was no significant difference in the connective tissue-volume fraction among the groups. Thus, downregulation of Cx40 and abnormal phosphorylation of Cx40 may result in abnormal cell-to-cell communication and alteration in the electrophysiologic properties of the atrium, leading to the initiation and/or perpetuation of AF.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Mar
pubmed:issn
0002-9149
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
15
pubmed:volume
91
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
678-83
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2003
pubmed:articleTitle
Comparison of expression of connexin in right atrial myocardium in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation versus those in sinus rhythm.
pubmed:affiliation
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yamaguchi, Japan.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Comparative Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't